Recordings
This page has the recording history of The Ablemen. There are a total of five recordings: Are You Able?, Polka Fest, Dressed Up Polkas, Love Notes, and Still Kickin. Next to each album is a summary about the recording along with sound clips. Still Kickin, the latest CD, was released in July of 2006. Copies of that are readily available for $17.00 ($15.00 + $2.00 postage/handling). The first four recordings are not in production, but the band will make custom copies for those wishing to add to their collection. Email the band for information or call 201-967-7243.
Are You Able? Do you remember the disco era of the 1970’s? This album, released in 1980, was the band’s first foray into recording and is a combination of disco, ballads, and polkas. All the selections are original songs by Ray Skorka and Rich Robino. Musicians are Ray Skorka, Jim Obrotka, Rich Robino, and Bill Wojciechowski. The band turned Rich Robino’s living room into a recording studio and utilized a four track TEAC reel-to-reel tape deck. The master tape was then mixed at Fox Studios in Rutherford, NJ. The recording was pressed on vinyl only, and is available today only via custom order on CD through The Ablemen.
Track Listing
1. Never Gonna Stop
2. The Boys In The Band Polka
3. Try To Get Our Act Together
4. We Can Work It Out Together
5. Drummer’s Rhythm Polka
6. Fallin’ In Love
7. We Can Stay Together
8. In Love Polka
9. It’s Not Goodbye
10. Let’s Think It Over
Polka Fest This album was the band’s introduction into Polka Music, done primarily as a promo album to “get the word out” and was released in 1983. On the back of the album cover, there was an editing error. Can you find it? The recording was done at Fox Studios in Rutherford, NJ. Musicians are Ray Skorka, Jim Obrotka, Rich Robino, and Bill Miranda. The recording was pressed on vinyl only, and is available today only via custom order on CD through The Ablemen.
Track Listing
1. Green Grass Polka
2. Back ‘n’ Forth Oberek
3. The Boys in the Band Polka
4. Matka Waltz
5. Drummer’s Rhythm Polka
6. Boy I Need The Money Polka
7. In Love Polka
8. Happy Feet Oberek
9. Who Likes Pierogi Polka
10. I Ain’t Got No Time Polka
Dressed Up Polkas Once the band had success in the Battle of the Bands at Hunter Mountain during the 1980’s, the group decided it was time to record another album, and DUP was born in 1986. The recording was done for Starr Records at Sound House, in Newburgh, NY, engineered by Tom Pick and produced by Jimmy Sturr. Musicians are Ray Skorka, Jim Obrotka, Joe Annecchino, and Bill Miranda. The recording was released as a vinyl LP and cassette.
Track Listing
1. Ablemen Theme Polka
2. Teddy's Oberek
3. Sing and Play Polka
4. Enjoy Yourself Polka
5. Wedding Waltz
6. Nie Bede Pic Oberek
7. Nutsy Sax Polka
8. Polish Waltz Medley
9. Wah Wah Polka
10. Girl In Love Polka
11. Oberek Time Oberek
12. Good Old Good Ones Polka
Love Notes In 1988, the band released this recording featuring the full six-piece group at the time on some of the selections. The recording was produced by the band members themselves and recorded at Mohawk Studios in River Edge, NJ. Musicians on this recording are Ray Skorka, Jim Obrotka, Joe Annecchino, Bill Miranda, Bill Wojciechowski, and Maggie McCarthy Maher. The recording was released on cassette only, and is available today only via custom order on CD through The Ablemen.
Track Listing
1. E-I-E-I-O Polka
2. Take These Chains Polka
3. Husbands And Wives Waltz
4. Orange Blossom Special Polka
5. Happy Birthday Polka
6. Chocolate Grapes Polka
7. Nobody’s Lonesome For Me Polka
8. Yakety Ablemen
9. For The Fans Polka
10. Tatusiu (Daddy’s) Waltz
11. You’re Always Late Polka
12. Little Children
13. We Belong Together Polka
Still Kickin The band’s first album in nearly 20 years, Still Kickin was released in July, 2006. The recording was done at Brookwood Studios in Bayville, NJ and mastered through Community Musician in San Francisco, CA. Musicians are Ray Skorka, Jim Obrotka, Joe Annecchino, and Bill Miranda. To purchase this CD, go to our Still Kickin' page.
